Information for 2nd year undergraduate students

During your second year at LSE you will start to focus in on topics that interest you, as well as continuing to build on the broad theoretical understanding from first year modules.

This year is a good opportunity to build on your experiences outside of LSE as well as learn and develop academically.

You will continue to meet with your Academic Mentor and are encouraged to take advantage of services such as LSE LIFE and LSE Careers. 

To help you make the most of your year and look forward to what's coming up, here is a summary of a typical second year.

What happens in Michaelmas Term?

September

Welcome Week will likely be a very different experience for you this time. You may have volunteered to help new students or might be representing your Club or Society recruiting new members. You might have decided to attend the events and activities. Whatever you choose to do, there is plenty going on and lots of opportunities to get involved. If you didn't join any Clubs, Societies or volunteering programmes in your first year, you might want to do so now.

You may have sorted your accommodation over the summer, but if not the LSESU Advice team and University of London Housing Services (ULHS) can give you advice and answer any questions you might have. ULHS can do contract checks and have a bank of available properties to search through. 

Opportunities for paid work are available all over London. The School and Students' Union will also recruit for student staff in Michaelmas Term.

If you have a disability and haven't done so already, get in touch with the Disability and Wellbeing Service to discuss adjustments and plans for your study in your second year. If you were in touch last year, make sure the team have the most up to date information ahead of the new term.

October, November, December

You should now have a full timetable and understand the deadlines for any work you'll be asked to submit.

You'll meet with your Academic Mentor and can book appointments with any of LSE's services if you're interested in extra support in building your skills. LSE LIFE and LSE Careers run full programmes and it's likely your department will also have extra curricular activities you can attend and your teachers will run Office Hours.

You may decide to run as your course's Course Rep, and if elected, you'll attend training during this period. The first Staff Student Liasion Committee meetings of the year will take place in this period.

Larger companies offering internships will start to post them from September, with deadlines varying. Many expect to fill their places for the next summer by the December and January before. If you're hoping to do a summer internship, do plenty of research to make sure you have time to prepare good applications for the ones that most appeal to you. Other opportunities will come up through the spring but you should be prepared if you're looking to work for one of the bigger firms. LSE Careers are there to support you with any questions you may have. 

If you've been considering Study Abroad, you should find out more about your options and start preparing yourself to apply in this term. 

If you're taking January exams, you'll receive your timetable as soon as it's ready and can start planning your revision timetable and plans for the break. Even if you have revision or assignments to do during the break, remember to schedule in time to relax, catch up with friends and family and reflect on your first term at LSE. 

You may feel like the reading, assignments and studying should (and could) take up all of your time, but there's still plenty of time left at LSE for you to explore which activities benefit you, and which ones don't. Remember though, you can't do everything all the time and you don't need to feel pressured to get involved with things just because your peers are doing them.

What happens in Lent Term?

January

You may return straight to January exams or due assignments, or you might arrive with the chance to get ahead on your reading for your courses. As in Michaelmas Term, LSE LIFE, LSE Careers and your department will offer a range of extra curricular activities throughout Lent Term. You'll also start your second LSE100 course and mix with students from across the School.

You should receive dates for assignments and know what your timetable for Lent Term will look like. 

You will meet with your Academic Mentor to review your progress and ask any questions. 

February, March, April

Classes will continue and you'll be busy with reading, assignments and study. You should take time out each week to focus on other areas of your life, as well as making sure you stay on top of your notes.

You'll receive feedback and marks from assignments and exams. To make the most of this, you should arrange to meet with your Mentor or the course teacher to clarify what you can do to improve moving fowards.

You'll also get the chance to feedback on your experience through Staff Student Liaison Committees, either as a Course Rep, or by contacting your Course Rep ahead of the meetings.

Most teaching will finish before the Easter break, so you should make sure you understand concepts and attend any Office Hours where you're not sure or want to discuss a topic further.

It's a good time to meet with the LSE Careers if you're unsure and want to start making plans for your final year.

What happens in Summer Term and Summer?

May and June

You'll need to make a plan for your revision, attending any revision sessions with your department or LSE LIFE that you think will help you. There's plenty of stress-busting activity and support on campus during this period, but you also need to be aware of your stress levels and look after yourself.

Attend and sit your exams. If for any reason you feel you're not fit to sit the exam, speak to the Student Services Centre as soon as possible to understand your options. 

If you cannot attend an exam, call the Student Services Centre as soon as possible on +44 (0)20 7955 6167.

July and August

Course choice for your third year will open in July, so make time to decide what you want to study and speak to peers and staff while you're on campus in May and June.

If you've been living in a private rented home, you might be happy and able to renew your tenancy. Communicating with your landlord or lettings agent early on will help you to plan. Alternatively, you may be considering moving home or looking for new flatmates. The LSESU Advice team, the University of London Housing Services (ULHS) can give you advice and answer any questions you might have.

You should do some preparation for your next year of study and may undertake work or internships, but it's also really important to make some time over the summer for a proper break before you return to LSE in September for your final year as an Undergraduate.

Quick checklists for the year

This year I will:

  • Build on my understanding of the theories that underpin my discipline and start to take modules looking at more specialist areas
  • Continue to meet new members of the LSE community
  • Complete assignments and exams
  • Receive feedback and plan how to improve work in the future
  • Choose my course options for my third year of study

This year I could:

  • Attend Office Hours to discuss theories and ideas and raise any questions I have
  • Join clubs, societies or volunteer groups
  • Attend LSE LIFELSE Careers and departmental extra curricular activities
  • Apply for Study Abroad programmes
  • Apply for paid work
  • Apply for internships
  • Look for private rented accommodation if I'm planning to live there in my next year of study, including moving out of a previous property